JS Kabylie vs Al Ahly 0:0, 2026-02-07, CAF Champions League – Goalless Draw in Group-Stage Clash

JS Kabylie 0–0 Al Ahly: Hosts Held Despite Dominance in Goalless CAF Champions League Stalemate
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JS Kabylie saw their hopes of a statement home win frustrated as they were held to a 0–0 draw by Al Ahly in Match Round 5 of the CAF Champions League, despite enjoying the better chances, more shots and sustained territorial pressure.

In a tense, tactical contest in Tizi Ouzou, the Algerian side imposed themselves for long spells and looked the more likely to break the deadlock, but the record African champions held firm, defending with resilience and discipline to secure a valuable away point in Group action.

### JS Kabylie on top in balanced battle of possession

While the match finished goalless, it was anything but dull. Possession was shared evenly – JS Kabylie 50%, Al Ahly 50% – yet the pattern of play suggested the hosts carried greater attacking intent, repeatedly pushing Al Ahly back and forcing them to defend their own penalty area for extended periods.

JS Kabylie’s pressing from the front and aggressive midfield shape prevented Al Ahly from building rhythm for much of the game, with the visitors often restricted to spells of patient recycling rather than incisive forward play.

### Shot statistics underline home dominance

The raw shooting numbers told a clear story of JS Kabylie’s superiority in the final third.

– **JS Kabylie shots on target:** 20
– **JS Kabylie shots on goal:** 6
– **Al Ahly shots on target:** 5
– **Al Ahly shots on goal:** 1

Kabylie repeatedly worked openings in and around the box, but wasteful finishing and Al Ahly’s last-ditch defending meant the home side could not convert pressure into the decisive goal their performance arguably merited.

Aimen Mahious was the standout attacking threat for the hosts, the most active player in terms of attempted shots. He found pockets of space between the lines and was a constant reference point in attack, yet he, like his team-mates, could not find a way past a stubborn Al Ahly rearguard.

At the other end, Al Ahly mustered far fewer efforts. Their only serious effort on goal came via **Marwan Attia Fahim Ghallab**, who emerged as their most prominent shooting outlet. His attempts, though, were either blocked, rushed under pressure, or comfortably dealt with by the Kabylie goalkeeper.

### Midfield metronomes and passing accuracy

In a match where fine margins in midfield often dictated momentum, two central figures stood out for their composure and accuracy in possession.

For JS Kabylie, **Zinéddine Belaïd** anchored play with calm assurance. He completed **61 passes** with an **88% pass accuracy**, repeatedly helping his side progress the ball through the thirds and sustain pressure on Al Ahly’s defensive block.

On the visitors’ side, **Marwan Attia Fahim Ghallab** not only carried their shooting threat but also orchestrated much of their passing game. He completed **60 passes** at an impressive **91% accuracy**, often serving as the link between defence and midfield as Al Ahly sought to keep the ball and quieten the crowd.

Creativity-wise, Kabylie had the clear edge.
– **Mohamed Reda Hamidi** produced **6 key passes**, constantly probing with forward balls and deliveries into dangerous areas.
– For Al Ahly, **Ahmed Nabil Ashour Abdelaal** managed **1 key pass**, symptomatic of a side that struggled to fashion clear-cut chances.

### Defensive masterclass defines the contest

If finishing was lacking, defensive organisation from both teams was of the highest standard, and it ultimately defined the match.

JS Kabylie’s back line and midfield screened space superbly, recording **17 interceptions** overall. The standout was **Mohamed Reda Hamidi**, who led the team with **4 interceptions**, reading the game superbly and stepping in at key moments to stop Al Ahly transitions before they could develop.

Al Ahly, for their part, were equally impressive in their own defensive third, registering **13 interceptions**. **Mohamed Hany Gamal Eldemerdash** matched Hamidi’s reading of the game with **4 interceptions** of his own, frequently halting Kabylie’s attempts to slide passes in behind or into the half-spaces.

Blocks were another crucial defensive metric in a match where one goal would almost certainly have been enough:

– **JS Kabylie blocks:** 3 (with **Mohamed Reda Hamidi** contributing 1)
– **Al Ahly blocks:** 4 (including 1 from **Mohamed Hany Gamal Eldemerdash**)

These blocks, often made inside or on the edge of the penalty area, were vital in denying Mahious and his colleagues clearer looks at goal. Time and again, Al Ahly defenders threw themselves in front of shots to protect their goalkeeper and preserve the clean sheet.

### Physical duels and aerial battles

The match was also notable for its physical intensity, particularly in direct duels for the ball. JS Kabylie were more aggressive in one‑on‑one situations and looked to impose themselves across the pitch.

– **Billal Messaoudi** was the leading figure in this regard for Kabylie, engaging in **8** face‑to‑face duels for the ball. His willingness to contest every challenge epitomised the home side’s attitude and helped them maintain territory high up the pitch.
– For Al Ahly, **Mostafa Ahmed Abdelaziz Mohamed Shobeir** led the way with **4** such duels. His battles, especially in tight spaces and defensive zones, were crucial in easing pressure and buying his side moments of respite.

These individual battles underlined the combative nature of the tie, with neither team willing to concede ground easily.

### Tactical overview

JS Kabylie’s tactical setup prioritised width and quick combinations in and around the box. Their full-backs pushed high, while the midfield three, anchored by Belaïd, sought to sustain pressure and compress the play into Al Ahly’s half. Hamidi’s dual role – both creator (6 key passes) and defensive shield (4 interceptions, 1 block) – was central to their game plan.

Al Ahly, by contrast, were more conservative. Their shape was compact and narrow out of possession, inviting Kabylie to try and break them down while they looked to spring forward on the counter. Attia’s high pass accuracy (91%) and willingness to carry the ball out of tight areas were vital in launching rare forward forays, but the visitors rarely committed enough numbers to truly unsettle Kabylie’s defence.

### Missed opportunity for JS Kabylie, valuable point for Al Ahly

In the context of the CAF Champions League group stage, the result will feel very different in each dressing room.

For **JS Kabylie**, the draw will sting. With 50% possession but far more meaningful attacking play, 20 shots on target and 6 on goal, plus the game’s best creative and defensive metrics, they did more than enough to suggest they should have taken all three points. Wasteful finishing and a lack of composure in decisive moments cost them what could have been a vital home victory.

For **Al Ahly**, this goalless draw may ultimately prove valuable. They were second best in chances created, but their defensive resilience, the composure of Attia in midfield, and the anticipation of defenders like Hany ensured they emerged with a clean sheet and a potentially important point away from home.

### Conclusion

This 0–0 between JS Kabylie and Al Ahly will not be remembered for goals, but it offered a compelling illustration of high-level CAF Champions League football: tactical discipline, defensive excellence, and intense physical battles across the pitch.

Kabylie’s superior shot volume, creative edge through Hamidi, and dominant individual displays from Mahious and Messaoudi made them the more enterprising side. Yet Al Ahly’s organisation, interception numbers, and willingness to throw bodies on the line ensured that, on the scoreboard at least, the two giants of African football remain inseparable ahead of a decisive final round of group matches.

• JS Kabylie will play with Young Africans. February 15 at 16:00 (GMT), on Amaan Stadium.
• Al Ahly will play with FAR Rabat. February 15 at 16:00 (GMT), on Al Salam Stadium.

JS Kabylie

• Gaya Merbah (6.6)
• Mohamed Reda Hamidi (7.3)
• Zinéddine Belaïd (7)
• Mohamed Amine Madani (6.6)
• C. Boulkaboul (7.2)
• A. Bada (7.2)
• M. Bott (6.7)
• R. Boudebouz (6.9)
• Billal Messaoudi (8.2)
• Aimen Mahious (6.2)
• Lahlou Akhrib (6.6)

Al Ahly

Substitutions:

JS Kabylie

• M. Madani (Laïd Chahine Bellaouel, 58)
• R. Boudebouz (Babacar Sarr, 76)
• C. Boulkaboul (F. Nechat, 76)
• Lahlou Akhrib (C. Ecua, 90)

Al Ahly

• Mahmoud Ahmed Ibrahim Hassan (Taher Mohamed Ahmed Taher Moha Mahmoud, 46)
• Ahmed Nabil Ashour Abdelaal (Ahmed Ramadan Abdou Mohamed, 65)
• Achraf Bencharki (Karim Fouad Abdelhamid Mahmoud, 65)
• Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane (Ieltsin Camoes, 76)
• Marwan Osman (Hussein Aly El Shahat Aly Hassan, 86)

Ball possession:

Passes:

Defense:

Face-to-face:

Fouls:

Yellow cards:

• M. Madani (JS Kabylie) at 25 minute
• Ahmed Nabil Ashour Abdelaal (Al Ahly) at 33 minute
• Yasser Ahmed Ibrahim El Hanafi (Al Ahly) at 83 minute

The last five games (including this match):

• JS Kabylie – L
• Al Ahly – W

Top 5 CAF Champions League scorers:

1. Ahmed Atef El Sayed (4, Pyramids FC)
2. Mahmoud Ahmed Ibrahim Hassan (3, Al Ahly)
3. Nuno Miguel Valente Santos (2, Mamelodi Sundowns)
4. Aboubacar Diakite (2, ES Tunis)
5. Abdelrazig Yagoub Omer Taha (2, Al Hilal Omdurman)

Line-ups:

Next games:

• JS Kabylie will play with Young Africans. February 15 at 16:00 (GMT), on Amaan Stadium.
• Al Ahly will play with FAR Rabat. February 15 at 16:00 (GMT), on Al Salam Stadium.